WHY THIS ARCHIVE
At the initiative and under the responsibility of the Attica Department of the Association of Greek Architects (SADAS-PEA), it was decided that a Digital Archive of Greek Female Architects should be created, starting with the1923-1981 period.
This decision by the Administrative Council ratified a relevant proposal of the Scientific Workshop of the Attica Department of SADAS “Architecture Routes in Attica from the rise of Modernism until now”, which, in the framework of highlighting important colleagues of the past, encountered the absence of prominent female colleagues. Priority was, therefore, given to the Digital Archive of Greek Female Architects, starting with University graduates up to 1981, with the intention of others to follow, that would shed light on neglected architectural personalities, both male and female.
The project was evaluated positively and was placed under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, with the assistance of which the Archive’s first phase was completed.
With the Digital Archive of Greek Female Architects, the Attica Department of SADAS aims on the one hand to substantiate their contribution to the country’s built environment in the 20th and 21st centuries, and on the other hand to respond to the constant claim of female colleagues for equal opportunities in employment and fair acknowledgement of their work.
We believe that this Archive, the analytical description of which is given in the following Chapter ‘About the Archive ‘, will offer valuable material for the History of Architecture and the architects’ self-knowledge in our country. In addition, it brings up the importance of Architecture for the rational and democratic planning of our built environment. It could therefore be used, not only in architectural and historical studies, but also in sociological and political research.
The Digital Archive of Greek Female Architects brings to light their unacknowledged contribution to: town planning and regional planning; urban design and landscape architecture; social / working class housing and refugee housing programs; schools and educational buildings; health and social welfare facilities; public buildings and cultural facilities; hotels and tourist facilities; sports facilities; special-purpose buildings; architectural surveying and protection of traditional settlements and the restoration and adaptive re-use of monuments, etc. The increasing participation of women in the profession and civil service after World War II, as well as in the fields of architectural research, education, historiography and theory are also substantiated.
The Archive follows the architectural history and the history of the built environment in our country.
It should be noted that at this time, the educational and professional career conditions in Greece for female colleagues were extremely adverse. In fact, in the first decades of the 20th century, when there was not even a secondary practical education for women, future colleagues passed the entrance exams either taught at home or as graduates of male schools, and then, after their graduation, struggled to win promotion in the public sector on the basis of qualifications rather than gender. They also had to –and still have to– constantly prove that they are proficient in the profession, while also swaying themselves between their traditional role in the family and their role in society, as scientists and professionals.
The arduous compilation of the Archive is carried out by a scientific committee of architects, with the assistance of many active members of the Attica Department and the General SADAS, as well as with the participation of living colleagues listed on the Archive or their descendants-holders of their archive. The work of this committee is supported by colleagues with specialization relevant to the subject of the Archive – History of architecture and urban planning, archiving etc. – and by colleagues with experience in most fields of professional activity in Greece.
On the eve of one hundred years since the establishment of the Association of Greek Architects, the Attica Department of SADAS delivers to researchers, to the architectural community, and to society in general, a representative sample of the life and work of Greek female architects, as:
A tribute to the older ones, a light to their work and a springboard for the young ones, who –in defiance of the time– are increasingly strengthening the ranks of Architecture.
For the Administrative Council of the Attica Department of SADAS
The President
Julia Tsaliki
The Secretary General
Ourania Oikonomou
June 2021